"The demons say if you won't write, they won't let you play with them anymore." – S.S. Trantham

Getting Angry and Getting S**t Done

Besides being one of the so-called deadly sins, we as a society have a stigma against expressing, or even feeling, negative emotions, such as anger. We all want to be happy, or at least pretend to be happy, and we want the people around us to be happy (and specifically, we don’t want the people around us angry at us). Motivational speakers and those lacking skills in conflict resolution will tout positive thinking methods and programs; some people won’t even acknowledge their anger, and ignore it until they eventually snap; some people allow themselves to become consumed by their anger so that they become toxic and abusive, then pull the “that’s not me” card, despite every bit of evidence saying otherwise.

But anger is just like any other emotion. It is perfectly natural to be angry, especially when there is cause for it. Though, one doesn’t really need a reason to be angry. People have bad days. Little things that normally wouldn’t merit an emotional response can build up, resulting in a foul mood. Sometimes people are just extra cranky as a result of natural hormonal cycles. To ignore such moods is unhealthy, and can make them worse.

What’s more, anger can be a powerful motivator. As Anansi said in the first season of American Gods (great show; read the book first), “Angry is good. Angry gets shit done.” And, from what I’ve experienced and witnessed, he’s right (Also, that scene is possibly my favorite out of the whole show). Anger is an emotion which generates energy. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but by compiling a list of reasons one is angry (a list of grievances, I call it), one can formulate a plan to do something about what is causing the anger.

So, yes, anger is one of those negative emotions that sometimes people just don’t know what to do with. But denying your anger can be just as unhealthy as allowing it to control you. Don’t just “let it go.” Anger happens for a reason; let it run its course (within reason), and see just how much shit you get done.